Warrnambool cyclist Eddie Worrall wins age group at Cycling Victoria Bendigo Junior Tour

The budding sportsman’s neighbours are the Lanes, a well-known Warrnambool cycling family.

Worrall, 14, said Des and his sons Matt and Sam had helped spark his passion for road racing.

Their wise words helped the Emmanuel College student ride to victory in his first Cycling Victoria tour event at the weekend.

He won all three stages – an individual time trial and two road races – to claim overall under 15 B grade honours in the Bendigo Junior Tour.

Worrall, whose older brother Darcy also competes, said he was grateful for the support he received.

“Des has been coaching me and taking me under his wing. He’s helped me out heaps,” he said.

“Matt and Sam are still here and they give everyone a few little tips around the place.”

Worrall, the grandson of former Hampden league president and three-time Maskell Medallist Hugh, said he was rapt with his results.

He defeated Port Fairy’s Cadel Howie in all three stages – a six-kilometre individual time trial in Newbridge, a 26.6km Newbridge-based road race and a 23.4km road race around Harcourt.

“I just wanted give it a go and be competitive. I didn’t really expect to go as well as I did,” he said.

“The time trial I won in a time of 10:9/9 which was 1:16.2 faster than the next fastest rider.

“If I had ridden A grade, my time would’ve put me in fourth place.”

Worrall said his favourite stage was the undulating Harcourt circuit.

“I went solo and ended up winning by three or four minutes,” he said.

“Hills are fun and it kind of worked in my favour I guess.”

Cycling is the newest sport on Worrall’s busy schedule.

He plays football for Hampden league junior club Hawks, often lining up at centre half-forward in the under 14 team, and is a member of the Warrnambool Swimming Club squad, training twice a week at Aquazone.

A new school-based high performance program, which focuses on strength and conditioning, is helping him be at his best for all three sports.